Howarth stunned by decision

Press, 12 August 1985, Page 1

Howarth stunned by decision

By

R. T. Brittenden

“Stunned, upset and disappointed,” were the most telling words from Geoff Howarth, the former New Zealand cricket captain, in a telephone call to him last evening in his London home.

Howarth was not included in the New Zealand team, announced on Saturday, for the pre-Christmas tour of Australia. He has been New Zealand’s leader, and a highly successful one, since 1979-80. Howarth said he was informed of his non-selection in “a brief telephone call" on Friday evening (New Zealand time) from the executive director of the New Zealand Cricket Council, Mr Graham Dowling.

“It would be an understatement to say that it took the wind out of my sails, especially as there was no explanation or reason forthcoming,” said Howarth. “I am still so stunned, upset and disappointed that I feel I cannot give any civil comment at present. Suffice to say that I feel I am owed a personal explanation from the chairman of selectors.” Howarth said he was not having trouble with his eyesight or with his form. Although appointed captain of the Surrey county team, he has not been playing in the first eleven except occasionally this season. The registration rules for overseas players in English county cricket have kept him out.

Surrey’s West Indian fast bowler, Sylvester Clarke, could not play this season in England, and as Surrey’s principal need was a strike

bowler the county signed on Tony Gray, also from the West Indies. This is the situation which has kept Howarth out of first class cricket. Howarth’s dismissal’from the New Zealand team was not unexpected, for he has not maintained the form which brought him six test centuries between 1978 and 1981. His omission was a sad one, however, for he has had outstanding success as a New Zealand captain; in six years, he led the team to 11 of its 30-year tally of 21 test wins.

His captaincy in one-day matches won high acclaim overseas and in New Zealand, and his sides set high standards in sportsmanship, in the most trying situations.

He wished the New Zealand team every good fortune in Australia.

Howarth is now 34, but he is not yet only a name in the record books. After the English season is over he proposes to tour Trinidad with a Rest of the World team which will play oneday matches. He will return to New Zealand in mid-October to play in the New Zealand first class season. “I hope to prove to myself that I do not deserve what has happened,” he said last evening.

All New Zealand cricketers with even a vestige of sentiment will wish Geoff Howarth well. He has given outstanding service; his contribution may not be at an end.

N.Z. team, page 25.